Unitary selector assemblage for printing telegraph apparatus



May 8, 1962 F. c. MOEBIUS 3,033,927

UNITARY SELECTOR ASSEMBLAGE FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed June '7. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FREDERICK C. MOEBIUS ATTORN Y F. C. MOEBIUS NITARY SE U LECTOR ASSEMBLAGE FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS May 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7. 1960 INVENTOR FREDERICK C. MOEBIUS ATTORN Y United ware Filed June 7, 1960, Ser. No. 34,511 8 Claims. (Cl. 178-33) This invention relates to selector mechanisms principally of the kind employed in printing telegraph apparatus, and particularly to a unitary selector assemblage adapted to be moved radially into operative association with a selector cam assembly.

The selector assemblage or assembly, utilized by the typical teletypewriter, is in operative engagement with a selector cam assembly or sleeve and includes the selector magnet coils and armature, levers, bars and ball necessary to convert the electrical pulses of a start-stop code into the mechanical arrangements which govern the characters to be printed and the functions to be performed by the teletypewriter. The selector assemblage is an exrrernely important part of the teletypewriter and, consequently, the adjustment and replacement of the selector parts are also highly important. Accordingly, it becomes necessary, periodically, to remove the selector assemblage from the teletypewriter to perform various maintenance and repair operations,

The removal of most presently known selector assemblies is a complicated, time consuming and tedious operation. The selector instrumentalities or components are arranged in circular fashion or in a curved arrangement in excess of 180 around the cam assembly with which they cooperate, which requires the selector assembly to be mounted and removed axially of the shaft that carries the selector cam assembly or sleeve. In those structures in which the selector cam assembly is located other than at the end of its driving shaft and beyond any bearing supporting that shaft, such a requirement means that one end of the shaft carrying the selector cam sleeve must be loosened and freed and all objects intermediate the selector assembly and the free end of the shaft must be removed before the selector assembly may be removed; obviously a cumbersome and undesirable arrangement.

The only presently known alternative which provides. any degree of ease of removal is to support the portion of the shaft carrying the selector cam assembly in cantilever fashion, as described above. Such cantilever support may not be desirable, due to possible end play of the shaft carrying the selector cam sleeve and consequent misalignment between the selector cam sleeve and selector assemblage.

Accordingly, the object of this invention is to provide a unitary selector assemblage adapted to be moved radially into operative association with a selector cam as sembly.

A feature of this invention includes a unitary selector assemblage wherein the selector instrumentalities, i.e., selector magnet and armature, levers, bars and hail, are mounted in semi-circular fashion not exceeding 180 to permit the assemblage to be moved as a unit radially of a selector cam assembly for mounting and removal.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the unitary selector assemblage in spaced relation with the selector cam sleeve;

FIG. 2 is a front View of the unitary selector assemblage;

FIG. 3 is an irregular sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows; and

atent Q are.

3,@33,9Z7 Patented May 8, 1962 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a unitary selector assemblage or assembly, represented generally by the reference numeral 10, in spaced relation with a selector cam sleeve or assembly, represented generally by the reference numeral 12. Also shown is a side frame 13 of a telegraph apparatus or teletypewriter of the type shown and described in application No. 734,907 of Robert W. Nordin filed May 13, 1958, which application is hereby incorporated by reference as if'fully reproduced herein. The side frame 13 is analogous to the side frame 16 shown in the incorporated application. Formai in the side frame 13 is a T-slot 14, including a horizontal locating surface 15 and vertical locating surfaces 16, and in alignment vertically with the stem of T-slot 14 is a slot 17.

The unitary selector assemblage It} comprises a main supporting bracket 18 including a side plate 19 and integrally formed and rightwardly directed supporting portions 20 and 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Formed on the side plate 19 are a locating projection 22, a curved surface 23 and a guiding projection 24.

A selector magnet supporting frame 26, having extensions 27 and 28, best seen in FIG. 1, is secured to the side plate 19 and supporting portion 20 by, for example, threaded fasteners represented by a screw 29 as shown in FIG. 2. The frame 26 supports a 'U-shaped magnet 30 (FIG. 3) having a pair of selector coils 31 encircling the legs; the magnet is secured to the frame in any suitable manner as by threaded fasteners (not shown). Secured to extension 28 as for example by threaded fas tenets 32, area spring anchor member 33 and a flexible member 34; secured to the flexible member, as for example by rivets 35, is an armature plate 36 to which is secured, as illustrated by rivet 3-7, an armature extension 38 having a lateral portion 39. One end of a spring 49 is attached to the upper end of the armature plate 36, as viewed in FIG. 1, and the other end of the spring is attached to an adjusting screw 41 supported by the spring anchor member 33; the screw is in threaded engagement with a self-locking nut 42. The spring 40 biases the armature plate 36 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, away from the pole faces of the U-shaped magnet 30 causing the armature plate to pivot about its engagement with the extension 28 as may be seen in FIG. 3; counterclockwise rotation of the self-locking nut 42, as viewed in FIG. 1, forces the adjusting screw 41 upwardly and increases the distance between the armature plate 36 and the pole faces of the U-shaped magnet 30.

It will be understood that the coils 31 are connected to a signaling line (not shown) and will receive electrical pulses of marking and spacing nature in a permutative combination of the well-known Baudot code. Upon receipt of a signal of marking nature, the coils 31 will be energized and a force, magnetic attraction, will be exerted on the armature plate 36 of sufficient magnitude to overcome the force exerted on therarrnature plate 36 by the spring 40 and the plate will be attracted to the pole faces of the ,U-shaped magnet 30; the armature is then said to be in its marking position as is shown in FIG. 3. Upon the receipt of a signal of spacing nature, the coils 31 will be de-energized and the spring 40 will return the armature plate 36 to its initial position as shown in FIG. 4; the armature is then said to be in its spacing position. The U-shaped magnet 30, coils 31, armature plate 36 and attendant biasing structure and armature extension 38-will be referred to collectively hereinafter as selector magnet and armature.

Referring again to the selector cam sleeve or assembly 12, the sleeve is carried on a shaft 44 which is rotatably supported by two bearings, one of which (not shown) is carried by a plate mounted on the side plate 16 shown in FIG. 1 of the vaforementioned application, and the 7 other of which, designated herein by. the reference numeral 45 is retained by resilient members 46 and 47, in a movable bracket 48 fastened to the side frame 13 by threaded fasteners 49, passing through oversized holes in bracket 48. The selector sleeve 12 comprises a plurality of selector .cams 51 through'55, inclusive (FIG, 2), a

flutter cam-'57 (FIG. 1), a stop-start cam 58 (FIG. 3), pull bar bail reset cam 59 (FIG. 2) andia locating disc 60 (FIG. 1). Each selector cam has one indentation or notch per 180-", the assembly being arranged for two cycle operation, and the indentations arearranged in helical fashion. The selector sleeve '12has limited longitudinal movement on the shaft 44 and the threaded fasteners 49 are in over-sizedapertures (not shown) formed in the side frame 13 for purposes to be fully explained hereinafter.

' i A plurality of sensing levers 61 through 65 (FIG. 1), a start lever 66 (FIG. 3), a marking lock lever 67 having a hooked end portion and an integrally formed and laterally directed portion .68, and a spacing lock lever 69 (FIG. 4) are carried pivotally on a shaft 70 extending through the supporting portion 18 and the side plate 19 and secured by a nut 71. The levers, as maybe seen in FIG. 2,

are urged ina clockwise direction by individual springs application incorporated by reference when the selector bars are released by their associated latch arms 97, as will appear presently. The latch arms 97 are normally biased in a clockwise direction by individual springs 111 wrapped around a rod 112 and the movement of the latch arms is guided by a guide comb 115 secured to the side plate 16 by, for example, a threaded fastener 116.

Referring again to the stop-start cam 58 as shown in FIG. 3, it will be noted thatithe selector assemblage 10, as previously mentioned, is adapted for two cycle operation, i.e., a complete cycle of operation is effectuated during each one-half revolution of the cam 58. Therefore, stop-start cam 58 is provided with two diametrically opposed indentations 120 and a stop arm portion 121 which is provided with two diametrically opposed stop lugs 123.

'Asshown in FIG. 3, one of the stop lugs 123 is in engagement with a projection 1241formed on the bell crank bell crank 77 clockwise or counterclockwise and ultimately advances or retards the angular position at which the lugs 123 engage the bell crank 77 and determine the stopped position of the selector cam assembly. 12 relative to the sensing levers 61- through 65. This permits the selector assemblage, the operation of which will be described presently, to samplethe signals received by the selector associated cams. The stop lever 66 is provided with an 7 arm 74 which is in engagement with the laterally directed bifurcated portions 75 of a bell crank 77 supported pivptally on; a pivot stud 78 secured to the side plate 19. Through the interconnection of the arm 74 with the bifurcatedportions '75, a cam follower portion 79 is urged by a spring 72 into responsive cooperation with the stopstart cam v58. 7

The sensing levers 61 through '65 are provided with extensions 56 and arm portions 80 (FIG. 3) which termimate in hook-like portions 89 adapted to cooperate with the hook-shaped extremities 92 of a plurality of pull bars 81 through 85 (FIG. 2) mounted slidably on a shaft 87 secured to the side plate 16 by a nut 88; the shaft supports in like manner a pull bar bail 86. 1 Individual springs 90, securedto a spring anchor plate 91, urge the pull bars 81 through 85 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, about the shaft 87' and the hook-shaped extremities 92 into abutting engagementwith the hook-like portions 89 of the sensing levers 61 through 65; the movement of the pull bars is guided by a comb 93 secured in any suitable manner to the side plate 19. A locating slot 94 is formed in the comb'93 later;

-Each pull bar, of the plurality of pull bars 81 through 85, as-shown in FIG. 3, is provided with a laterally directed portion 95 adapted to cooperate with the end of for a purpose to appear an associated latch arm 97 carried pivotally on a pivot rod 98 which is supported in a bracket 99 attached to the'side frame 16 of the above-identified application. Each arm 97 is adapted .to engage or to cooperate in latching relation with a shoulder [160' on an associated selector barofa plurality of selector or code bars 181 through 105 which selector bars are analogous'to selector bars 49-1 to 49-5 shown in FIG. 4 of said application. The selector; bars- 101 through 1415 are provided upward and leftward movement under the influence of individually associated springs 52 shown in FIG. 8 of the magnet at the most favorable time.

Mounting of Unitary Selector Assemblage The procedure utilized in mounting the selector assemblagelt) on the side frame 13 and in operativeassociation with the selector cam sleeve 12 will now be presented to furnish a better understanding of the instant invention.

It will be noted, as is most readily. seen in FIG. 3, that the selector instrumentalities, viz, sensing levers 61 through 65, start lever 66, marking lock lever 67, spacing lock lever 69, pull bars 81 through 85, and pull bar bail 86 are mounted onthe main supporting bracket 18 and arranged in semi-circular fashion not exceeding 180". It will now be assumed that the selector assemblage 10 occupies the position relative to the selector cam sleeve with upwardly and leftwardly directed slots 188 which cooperate with a rod 110 to guide the slector bars in'an 12'as shown in FIG. 1 and that the threaded fasteners 49 are slightly loose whereby the bracket 48 and the end of the shaft 44 are movable limitedly in both the horizontal and vertical directions because the holes in bracket are oversize. Theselector assemblage 11) is moved radially 1 of the selector cam sleeve 12in the direction of the. arrows in FIG. 1, and as theselectorinstrumentalities encircle the selector cam sleeve 12, and the curved surface 23 encircles the bearing 45, the locating disc 60is placed into the locating slot 94 formed inguide 93, it being recalled that the sleeve 12 has limited longitudinal movement, and upon continued movement of the selector assemblage, thelocating projection 22 is placed into the T-slot 14 and the guiding projection 24 into the guiding slot 17. Thev horizontal surface 15, a carefully machined surface, is formed at a critical position on the sideframe 13 and determines thevertical position of the selectorassemblage 18 relative to the side frame and, since the curved surface 23 is encircling the bearing 45 also determines the vertical position of the shaft 44 and cam assembly 12. The opposed, bearing, described supra as being shown in the aforementioned application, accommodates sufiicient angular displacement of the axis of shaft 44 to permit the shaft to be positioned'vertically'as described. The engagementrofthe guiding projection 24,with"thc guiding slot 17 doesnot afiect the finalposltionment of :the selector assemblage it), but rather prevents that portion of the side plate 19 below the locating projection 22 from twisting over a prolonged period. The threaded fasteners 140 are passed through oversized apertures (not shown) formed in the portion 20 and are screwed into the threaded apertures 141 to secure the selector assemblage fixedly to the side frame 13. The bracket 48 is now positioned by being moved leftwardly, as viewed and shown in FIG. 2, into abutting relation with the side plate 19 and the threaded fasteners 49 are then tightened to secure the bracket 43 fixedly to the side plate 13, and since the curved portion 23 encompasses the bearing 45, the vertical position of the shaft 44 and sleeve 12 relative to the selector assemblage 10 is determined. Placement of the locating disc 60 in the locating slot 94 determines the horizontal position of the sleeve 12 and aligns the cams with their associated levers and the apparatus is ready for operation. Once the bracket 48 has been secured fixedly to the side frame 13 in its oriented position relative to the side plate 19 of the selector cam assemblage 10, the assemblage 10 may be removed for periodical adjustment and repair of the selector instrumentalities, and upon remounting of the selector assemblage 10 and proper positioning of the locating projection 22 in the T- slot 14 and the locating disc 60 in the slot 94, the selector assemblage and selector cam sleeve 12 will again be properly oriented and in operative association one with the other. Thus, it is seen that by arranging the selector instrumentalities on the main supporting bracket 18 in a semi-circular arrangement not in excess of 180", the selector assemblage 16 may be easily and readily moved radially of the selector cam sleeve 12 for mounting and removal.

Operation In order to better understand the function and operation of the selector assemblage 10 and cam sleeve 12, one cycle of operation will be presented and it will be assumed that the selector instrumentalities and cams occupy the relative positions shown in FIG. 3. Since the normal condition of the signaling line (not shown) is of marking nature, the coils 31 will be energized and the selector magnet armature will be attracted to the magnet 30 whereupon the lateral portion 39 of the armature extension 38 will block the counterclockwise movement of the start lever 66. It will be further assumed that shaft 44 is rotating and that a permutative code signal, including five intelligence impulses of either marking or spacing nature preceded by an impulse of spacing nature, referred to as a start impulse, and followed by an impulse of marking nature, referred to as a stop impulse, is being transmitted over the signaling line and received by the selector coils 31. Upon receipt of the spacing impulse the selector coils 31 are de-energized and the selector armature, under the influence of the spring 46, pivots counterclockwise about the frame extension 28 moving the lateral portion 39 out of blocking engagement with portion of the marking lock lever 67 is not blocked by the lateral portion 39 and the marking lock lever is piv oted clockwise about the shaft 70 and the laterally directed portion 68 does not block the extensions 56 of the sensing levers. The cam follower portion 144 of the sensing lever 61 falls into the indentation of the associated selector cam 51 and the hook-like portion of its arm 89 is placed in latching engagement with the hook-shaped extremity 92 of its associated pull bar 81. Continued rotation of the selector cam 51 presents its high peripheral portion to the cam follower 144 and the pull bar 81 is moved upwardly, against the pull of spring 90, a distance sufficient for the laterally directed portion 95 to pivot the latch arm 97 counterclockwise about the pivot rod 98 a distance sufiicient to free the shoulder 100 of the latch 97 thereby releasing the selector bar 101 for upward and leftward movement determined by the coaction of slot 108 and rod 110.

It will now be assumed that the second received intelligence impulse is of spacing nature which is effective to de-energize the selector coils 31 and permit the spring 40 to pivot the selector armature clockwise as upon the receipt of the start impulse. Upon counterclockwise movement of a selector armature the spacing lock lever 69 (FIG. 4) is rotated clockwise by its associated spring 72 about the shaft 76 and'falls behind the laterally directed portion 39 and locks the selector armature in its spacing position. The hooked end portion of the marking lock lever 67 is blocked from downward movement by the laterally directed portion 39 of the selector armature and the laterally directed portion 68 of the marking lock lever blocks the sensing lever 62 from being rotated clockwise upon presentment of the indentation of the selector cam 52 to the cam follower of sensing lever 62. Hence the associated pull bar 82 is not engaged in latching relation, and upon continued rotation of the selector cam sleeve 12 the presentment of the high portion of the selector cam 52 is not efiective to release the selector bar 102. i

In similar manner the remaining intelligence pulses release or do not release a selector bar 103 through 10 5. Continued rotation of the selector cam sleeve 12 presents the high peripheral portion of the pull bar bail reset cam 59 to the cam follower portion 155 and the pull bar bail 86 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, and engages all of the selector pull bars 81 through 85 and moves them out of latching engagement with the associated selector sensing levers 61 to 65 and returns the pull bars to their initial position in relation to the sensing levers as shown the start lever 66. Under the influence of a spring 72, the

start lever 66 pivots clockwise about the shaft 7% and the arm 74 pivots the bell crank 77 about the pivot stud 78. The cam follower portion 79 falls into the opposed indentation 120 to unblock the lug 123 of the bell crank 77 and to transfer rotation to the sleeve 12 from the rotating shaft 44 in the same manner that clutch 135 in the aforementioned application, when engaged, transfers rotation from the shaft 58 to the cam sleeve 57. The selector cam sleeve 12 begins to rotate and in timed relation with the receipt of the incoming code impulses, the indentations in the helically arranged selector cams 51 through 55 are presented to the sensing levers 61 through 65.

It will further be assumed that the first received intelligence impulse is of marking nature, accordingly, the selector coils 31 will be energized and the selector armature attracted to the selector magnet 39 as shown in FIG. 3. When the indentation of the selector cam 51 is presented to the associated sensing lever 61, the hooked in FIG. 3. The stop-start cam 58, after the cam follower portion 79 had fallen into an indentation to initiate rotation of the sleeve 12, cams the follower outwardly to present the lateral portion for engagement with a lug 123 of the stop arm 121-to arrest rotation of the cam sleeve 12 after it has rotated The selector assemblage and sleeve 12 again occupy the positions shown in FIG; 3 and the apparatus is prepared for the receipt of the next incoming code signal.

It will be understood that the embodiment shown is merely illustrative of the present invention and that many modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary selector assemblage adapted to be moved radially into operative engagement with a selector cam assembly having a horizontal and vertical locating surface thereon, which comprises selector instrumentalities which operatively co-operate with said cam assembly to perform a selecting operation, and a bracket having a horizontal and vertical locating surface thereon and supporting said selector instrumentflities in a semi-circular arrangement to permit said selector assemblage to be installed by movement radially into operative engagement with said selector cam assembly.

2. A selector assembly adapted to be mounted as a unit in operative association with a selector cam assembly mounted on a supporting frarne having a locating surface formed thereon, which comprises a bracket having a locating projection engageable with said locating surface, an operation initiating lever, operation controlling levers, operation controlling bars, and a magnet and armature for selectively controlling said levers and bars, said levers and bars being 'mounted on said bracket in a semi-circular arrangement to permit said selector assembly to be installed by movement radially as aunit into operative association with said selector assembly. 7 a

3. In a selector mechanism including code bars to be positioned selectively, a unitary selector assembly adapted to be moved radially into or from operative association with a selector cam sleeve mounted rotatably on a supporting frame having a locating surface formed thereon, which comprises a bracket having a locating projection engageable with said locating surface, and selector instrumentalities including a selector magnet and levers controllable jointly by said magnet and said selector cam sleeve for operating said code bars, said selector instrumentalities being mounted 'on said bracket in a semi-circular arrangement not exceeding 180 to permit the selector assembly to be moved as aunitary assembly radially of the selector cam sleeve for mounting and removal. I

, 4. A unitary selector assemblage adapted to be moved radially into operative association Wth aselector cam' sleeve including a locating disc, said sleeve being carried on and longitudinally positionable with respect to a shaft mounted rotatably on a frame having a locating surface formed thereon, which assemblage comprises a bracket having formed thereon a locating projection and a locating slot, and selector instrumentalities including a selector magnet and selector elements controllable jointly by said magnet and cam sleeve, said instrumentalities being mounted on saidbracket in asemi-circular arrangement not exceeding 180 to permit the assemblage to be moved radiallyinto operative association with said cam sleeve, upon said radial movement said locating projection being engageable, with said locating surface to determine the location of'said assemblage with respect to said frame and said locating slot being engageable with said locating disc to position said selector cam sleeve longitudinally of said shaft in predetermined relation with said assemblage. Y

5. In a signal responsive selector mechanism, a frame member having a precisionally positioned locating surface, a power driven shaft, means for mounting the shaft 7 on the frame member including a bracket adjustably securable to said frame and a bearing for said shaft supported by said bracket, a selector cam assembly supported on anddriven by said shaft, a selector lever assembly adapted to be moved radially of said shaft into or awayfrom operative association with said cam assembly including a portion engageable with said locating surface and spaced arms forembracing said bearing to establish an operative alignment of said shaft prior to securing of said bracket, and means for securing said selector cam assembly to said frame and accommodating. removal thereof while the supporting of said shaft in the established alignmentis maintained by said bracket. 7

6. In a selector mechanism, a rotatable camshaft, a

a base for supporting said code bars and said cam shaft and at-least one member of each of said linkages, a bracket having an open ended slot for receiving said cam shaft, means on said bracket supporting the remainder of said members about the open ended slot while leaving the open end of the slot unobstructed whereby said bracket may be moved radially of said cam shaft to permit assembly and disassembly of the selector mechanism, and means on said base and means on said bracket cooperable to locate said bracket precisely with respect to said base such that the linkage members on said bracket may cooperate with said cam shaft and with the linkage members on said base.

7. In a selector mechanism, a frame having a locating surface thereon, a first bracket mounted upon said frame and extending outwardly therefrom, a cam sleeve assembly supported in said bracket, a second bracket having an opening therein permitting said second bracket to be radially positioned around said first bracket and cam sleeve, a locating projection on said second bracket for engaging said locating surface on said frame, a plurality of selector lever means mounted upon said second bracket to arcu'ately surround and operatively engage said cam sleeve, a selector magnet carried by said second bracket to selectively condition said selector lever means for operative engagement with saidcamsleeve, code bars secured to said frame, and code bar actuating means secured to said frame and operatively engageable with said selector lever means to set said code bars in response to the selective operation of said selector lever means by said cam sleeve.

8. In a selector mechanism, a frame having a locating surface thereon, a first bracket loosely mounted upon said frame and extending outwardly therefrom, a bearing carried by said bracket, a cam sleeve assembly having a shaft positioned in said bearing for rotatably supporting said .cam sleeve assembly in said first bracket, a second bracket having an opening therein. permitting said second bracket to be radially positioned around said first bracket,

a locating surface on said second bracket for engaging said locating surface on said frame, a plurality of selector lever means arcuately disposed on said second bracket to arcuately surround and operatively engage said cam sleeve, a camming surface on said-second bracket to bring said bearing and thereby said first bracket and cam sleeve assembly into alignment with said selector lever means, a selector magnet carried by said second bracket to selectively condition said selector lever means for operative engagement with said cam sleeve, code bars secured to said frame, and code bar actuating means secured to said frame and disposed thereon to be operatively engageable with said selector lever means to set said code bars in response to the selective operation of said selector lever means by said cam sleeve.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

